Model Engineer 14.01.2022
Model Engineer 14.01.2022
Model Engineer 14.01.2022
❖❖
Brunel
COVER FEATURE
Locomotive
B1 Tender
Tiny
Engines
ENGINEERING GROUP
We Visit Sheffield
£4.95
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Vol. 228 No. 4682 14 - 27 January 2022
CURRENT AND BACK ISSUES
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EDITORIAL
128 SMOKE RINGS 152 ADVENTURES WITH INJECTORS
News, views and comment on Roger Froud investigates the science and
Editor: Martin R Evans
Tel: +44 (0)7710 192953 the world of model engineering. technology of one of model engineering’s
Email: [email protected] most mysterious gadgets.
Assistant Editor: Diane Carney 129 GWR CLASS 800
Club News Editor: Geoff Theasby LOCOMOTIVE ISAMBARD 154 OBITUARY
PRODUCTION
KINGDOM BRUNEL Paul Ritchie looks back at
Bob Lilley presents the Bristol the life of Richard Knott.
Designer: Yvette Green
Illustrator: Grahame Chambers society’s latest club locomotive.
Retouching Manager: Brian Vickers 155 A RANSOMES ELEVATOR
Ad Production: Andy Tompkins 132 AN ASTRONOMICAL Ian Couchman builds a 2 inch scale elevator
ADVERTISING
BRACKET CLOCK to keep his threshing drum company.
Adrian Garner makes a bracket clock inspired
Advertising Sales Executive: Angela Price
Email: [email protected]
by Tompion and Banger’s regulator of 1708. 158 FLYING SCOTSMAN
IN 5 INCH GAUGE
MARKETING & SUBSCRIPTIONS 135 BOOK REVIEW Peter Seymour-Howell builds a highly detailed
Subscription Manager: Malcolm High reviews Scotsman based on Don Young’s drawings.
Beth Ashby Ephraim by Peter Scott.
MANAGEMENT
163 THE STATIONARY
Group Advertising Manager: Rhona Bolger 136 WE VISIT THE SHEFFIELD STEAM ENGINE
Email: [email protected] & DISTRICT SOCIETY OF Ron Fitzgerald tells the story of the
Chief Executive: Owen Davies MODEL ENGINEERS development of the stationary steam engine.
John Arrowsmith pays a visit to the
Sheffield society’s track at Abbeydale. 166 A SUMMER GATHERING
OF BULLEIDS
140 TEENY-TINY ENGINES Rob Speare attended a rather exclusive
Gerald Martyn finds that making small gathering of Bulleid locomotives
engines provides challenges of its own. during the summer.
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143 PUMA 170 CLUB NEWS
publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, including photocopiers, A FOUR CYLINDER, TWIN Geoff Theasby compiles the latest from
and information retrieval systems. All reasonable care is taken in the CAMSHAFT 30CC I/C ENGINE model engineering clubs around the world.
preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers cannot be held legally
responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however
Pete Targett builds a four cylinder version of
arising from such errors, including loss resulting from negligence of our staff. Malcolm Stride’s two cylinder engine.
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COVER FEATURE
modelengineers Locomotive
B1 Tender
ON THE COVER...
Tiny Bristol Society of Model Engineers’ new locomotive is a 7¼ inch gauge
Engines
ENGINEERING GROUP
Class 800 locomotive named after one of Bristol’s most celebrated
We Visit Sheffield
figures, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (photo: Bob Lilley).
£4.95
www.model-engineer.co.uk 123
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SMEE Courses
Following a year of restrictions.
the Society of Model and
Experimental Engineers
(SMEE) plans to run its
popular training courses
for newcomers to model
engineering, in 2022,
starting in February.
Part 1 is a three-day
course running on
Saturdays, February
to April, designed to
introduce newcomers to
the hobby, and to help with
decisions on the setting up of
a workshop and the purchase
of machines and tools, as
MARTIN well as introducing their use.
EVANS
Editor The course also deals with
silver brazing, tool sharpening,
measurement and marking out.
Part 2 is the ‘Polly’ course
which covers the building of
Holiday Activities
a simple model boiler and Christmas and new year festivities are over, the last
engine. This is spread over six remnants of the turkey have walked out of the kitchen, the
DIANE Saturdays, one per month. In twinkly decorations came down on Twelfth Night (or at
CARNEY
Assistant each session we demonstrate least they should have done…), that interesting tie you were
Editor making a different part of given for Christmas has been quietly ‘retired’ and all those
the project which students rather optimistic new year’s resolutions have already been
complete in their home forgotten. Yes, we’re back to normal and, presumably, back
workshops between sessions, in the workshop. Spare a thought for those of us confined to
ending up with a working quarters for the duration, workshop out of bounds, compelled
steam model. The project instead to swap jolly Christmas cracker jokes with a random
YVETTE involves sheet metal work, assortment of sisters, cousins and aunts.
GREEN
Designer soft soldering, silver brazing, One of our number, though, has shown that being barred
turning, milling and painting, from the bench is no obstacle to the determined engineer
and will equip students with all and that much may be achieved given a couple of sneaky half
they need to undertake further hours sitting at the deserted dining room table. The result of
engineering projects and Henk-Jan de Ruiter’s covert activity is the Meccano Modeltrain,
develop their skills. Although shown here, consisting of a locomotive, tender, a tank wagon,
aimed at model engineering, an open wagon and a passenger carriage. The motive power
previous students have also is a length of string. As any modern, environmentally aware
been involved in restoration of model engineer should, Henk-Jan has recycled various bits of
classic cars and motorcycles. junk, in this case a chimney and boiler from a defunct steam
The Society also runs one day machine.
courses in milling and in tool The true model engineer lets nothing, not even Christmas,
grinding. get in his way!
SMEE is based in Lambeth,
South London. Access is easy
via Thameslink trains calling East Coast College, St. Peters is a disabled access lift to
at Loughborough Junction Street, Lowestoft, NR32 2NB. reach the second floor. There
station from where the building Following the forced will be canteen facilities in the
is just a few minutes’ walk. cancellation of the last two adjacent building and ample
Full details of the courses planned exhibitions due to free parking on site.
Martin Evans can be are available on the SMEE Covid, the organisers look Entry forms for previous
contacted on the mobile website at www.sm-ee.co.uk forward again to running this exhibitors will be sent out
number or email below annual event in an exciting in February. If you have not
and would be delighted to new venue. The Energy Skills exhibited before and would
receive your contributions, LOWMEX 2022 Centre is the latest new like an entry form, please get
in the form of items of The Lowestoft Model building on the Lowestoft in touch.
correspondence, comment Engineering and Model Making College Campus. This building Further information is
or articles. Exhibition (Lowmex 2022) is very light and airy as you available at www.lowmex.
07710-192953 will now take place on the would expect from a modern co.uk or contact Kevin
[email protected] 29th and 30th October 2022 in building. The exhibition will be Rackham on 01502-583317.
the Energy Skills Centre, at held over two floors and there
T
he Bristol Society of is not always available and combustion engines but
Model and Experimental non-steam traction is required with the recent advances in
Engineers operates a to maintain a service for this battery power it was felt that a
miniature railway at a public large number of passengers. battery only locomotive using
park in Ashton Court and, Regular readers of M.E. may modern technology would
pre-covid, gave rides on over recall Pegasus and Telford, have the capacity required. On
twenty days a year. These both of which featured in this investigation however it soon
are very popular with Bristol magazine over the years, but became apparent that whilst
families with over 2,000 rides with these being 20 and 10 lithium batteries, because they
across the two tracks on some years old respectively it was are lighter and more compact
afternoons. Whilst steam is decided that a new 7¼ inch than lead acid, may be the
the favoured motive power this gauge locomotive should be modern answer for electric
built. The choice of prototype cars, they are very expensive
was quickly decided upon – and require a complicated
it was to be the GWR Class charging regime. Smaller and
800 Locomotive which was lighter is no advantage to a
introduced to provide service 7¼ inch gauge locomotive;
in the South-West on the in fact, weight is a benefit so
newly electrified main line it was decided to go ahead
through Bristol. With its unique with conventional batteries,
body shape this was quite a standard controller and DC
a challenging locomotive motors. Our running hours are
to model but then Bristol from 12 noon to 5.00pm and
engineers like a challenge; the new locomotive would be
quite a few of our members required to operate almost
worked on Concorde. continuously over this period
The previous two so batteries had to be sized to
The driver’s position with control module, brakes and hand controller. locomotives had internal cover this operating regime. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 129
Assuming 20 laps each hour,
sufficient battery capacity
would be required to carry out
100 laps on one charge with
a charging capacity capable
of recharging the battery
overnight.
To achieve maximum
reliability the system has been
kept as simple as possible
using standard, well proven
proprietary equipment. A
4QD Pro150 variable speed
forward/reverse controller
feeds two Parkside motorised Just like the real locomotive. Note the pantograph, engine covers, bogies and boxes.
bogies, each equipped with It’s even got the driver’s step but without the cracks.
2 x 750 Watt 24 Volt DC
motors and an 80 Amp trip battery life will be achieved Fabrications who did an capable of standing a higher
is connected close to the by ensuring the batteries are excellent job in closely temperature.
battery terminals to provide not discharged below 50% matching our specified The locomotive was
short circuit protection. capacity and immediately put cross-section. This was then professionally prepared and
Vacuum braking is required on charge after use. Space mounted on a welded angle- painted by a local company,
for the club’s carriages and is available for a further pair iron chassis. The front section Perfect Paint who produced
this is provided by two 12 Volt of batteries just in case we of the body was first modelled an amazing finish. They were
vacuum pumps connected got our calculations wrong. by one of our members using delighted to help as their
in series. A mechanical Comprehensive monitoring the CAD system, Fusion 360. children are frequent riders
handbrake operating on the of voltage, current, power and The model was then divided on the railway at Ashton
bogie wheels is also fitted energy is provided using an into 20 sections to allow Court. Detailed decals were
together with horns and instrument available on eBay printing on a domestic 3D then produced and applied to
headlights controlled from the for around £10. printer with a 300mm square represent, as far as possible,
hand controller using a 4QD The fundamental locomotive bed plate. Following the the original Isambard Kingdom
interface board. is therefore very simple printing the components were Brunel GWR Locomotive. What
Power is provided by four using familiar engineering glued together, reinforced with a beautiful job it has turned
12 Volt, 100Ah deep discharge technology. The main glass fibre cloth inside and out to be, exceeding all our
batteries which are connected challenge however has been out, then sanded to produce expectations.
in series/parallel to give a 24 to produce a lifelike body to an initial smooth outline of the As with previous club
Volt 200Ah supply with an model the full size prototype. cab ready for final finishing locomotives, this was very
onboard battery charger. The The photographs show that and painting. Unfortunately, much a team effort by a
current taken rarely exceeds this was achieved using a it was found that there was number different club members
10A from each battery so combination of metal sheet a possibility of the PLA each producing components
traction batteries are not and 3D printing to a very high plastic, used for the first cab including the rear pantograph,
required but as the batteries standard. moulding, distorting in the two separate braking systems,
will be cycled down to 50% of The main body is sheet sweltering sunshine we had electrical and auxiliary systems,
full capacity, deep discharge steel, very accurately bent last year (remember that?!). a detailed windscreen wiper,
leisure batteries have been by a Bristol specialist metal A second cab was therefore engine covers, dummy bogie
fitted. It is hoped that long fabricator, Banbury Metal produced using nGen, a plastic fronts, air conditioning fans
Body removed showing ease of access to batteries, battery This is what it is all about. Children enjoying a fast run along the back straight.
charger, control box and auxiliary components.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 131
An Astronomical
Bracket Clock PART 20
Clock case
My original idea was to house
Adrian the clock in a classic ‘bell top’
Garner bracket case. There are, of
makes a course, no bells rung by this
timepiece and the redundancy
bracket clock showing of the ‘bell top’ encouraged me
both mean and sidereal to add the tellurian, especially
time. as the rotating sidereal wheel
provides the perfect drive. An
alternative would be to add
Continued from p.94 a classic orrery showing the
M.E. 4681, 31 December 2021 motion of one or more planets.
As mounting the tellurian
requires the case to have been
made, we will take a break from
metal work to make the case.
The design and the wood
chosen is very much personal
preference. In making this
choice it must be remembered
that this is a heavy clock and
the case must be robust and
that it must be able to be
lifted from below. This leads
to the use of hardwood and
it is unlikely that suitably
seasoned wood will be found
in the local store or even a
hardwood supplier in the UK.
The solution is to buy so called
‘brown’ furniture which is sadly
no longer in fashion. These
Victorian items were made of
solid oak, mahogany or walnut
and an old table purchased
at a local auction will yield
more than enough wood for I originally thought a classic (from old furniture) which
the case. The cost is likely to black ebonized case would would look very attractive. In
be much less than even the be my preference. In order for this event the reader will need
equivalent quantity of sapele this not to look too austere, to simplify the instructions
from a wood yard. however, such cases were below.
usually fitted with gilded The first job is to lay out the
embellishments. This did not parts on the wood available
91 appeal but it may do to others (to do this you will need to
making this clock. As seen in wait until all the drawings
the photographs, I decided to are published). I cut out
opt for a less austere look by paper shapes for each part,
veneering with burr walnut and including the mouldings, and
Cutting plan laid ebonizing the mouldings. arranged them like a jigsaw
out on a piece Those wishing to avoid the to ascertain the optimum use
of reclaimed veneering process could make whilst avoiding screw holes
mahogany. the case out of mahogany or other imperfections in the
92 93
Cutting parts for the case to length. Cutting the recesses for the front door hinges.
old mahogany table top I had groove for the glass easy but inches wide, this being twice piece of wood to check the
purchased at auction. In the it led to some difficulties when 1¼ inches plus a wide margin router cutter depth and position
past, most cases were made of making the dovetails. I suggest for the saw when splitting). before cutting the various
oak but old mahogany is in my readers read ahead to making The boards for the sides sections. The grooves have
view easier to work and has a the dovetails before making and doors can now be brought different depths so make a note
very fine grain (photo 91). their decision on the direction to thickness with the planer/ on each paper strip and keep
In laying out the direction of the grain for these parts. thicknesser. Do not take large these with each piece of wood
of the parts the grain is The wood should be cut cuts – on hard wood I never to avoid making a mistake.
important. All the mouldings, out with a circular saw to cut more than 1.5mm at a time Do not proceed further with
the four parts for each door approximate size and one end and typically take 1mm. the doors - leave these parts
and the uprights of the sides trimmed square. Do make a Once planed to thickness, the for now as they will need to
should be laid along the generous allowance for final table router is used to form the be brought to length to fit
grain for strength so that cutting to size and cut the grooves which will retain the the main body of the clock.
subsequent routing does not boards so that where parts glass and secure the sides and Instead return to the table saw
tear and crack sections out of need further work using the uprights together with biscuits. and cut the uprights for the
the wood. The direction of the router they are paired back to All the grooves are 4mm wide, sides of the main body to the
grain of the upper and lower back making them easier to 3
⁄16 inch from the front edge of correct height and the cross
side rails of the case is more hold due to being wider (e.g. the clock (apologies for mixing pieces to length (photo 92).
moot. I cut them so that the the board for the side uprights units, I am indifferent to what The cross pieces of each
grain made routing the needed was rough cut to about 3⅛ I use!). Make a cut in a scrap side have recesses routed on
0.1875 0.3750
0.2500
Veneer front and side edges
with walnut burr after fitting 0.2500
hinges and lock. Veneer front with walnut burr
Lock 1.2500 after fitting hinges and lock.
Recess for brass hinge 1.2500
1.2500 14.3750 Lock
(Hinges 1 1/2" by 7/8") Recess for brass hinge
1.2240 (Hinges 1 1/2" by 7/8") 11.7500
Top and bottom veneers 1/16" thick.
Adjust thickness to make door fit. Top and bottom veneers 1/16" thick.
6.5625 Adjust thickness to make door fit.
=(1.5000 - veneer thickness)
5.2813 =(1.2500 - veneer thickness)
11.5000
10.1250
1.4375 1.5000
1.1875 1.2500
14.0000
Fig 37 12.6250
>>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 133
Sides - 58" hardwood
Fig 39
Case brass work
Grooves 4mm wide to fit biscuits Fig 40 4BA clear
0.2188
0.2188 0.3750
4BA Note one right and one
0.1875 2.0000 left handed bracket needed
1.6875
0.8125
0.4063
5.1250
0.3750 0.6250
0.2500 Ø0.2813
0.9375 0.5000
0.1250 0.5000
7mm hole, 1/4" deep on inside
of both rear uprights No. 27 0.3125
1.1250
0.1719
0.4375
16.0000 0.5625
Hinge, catch plate Two off washers 4BA 0.5313
recesses and dovetails 1.2500
top and bottom
not shown
small rounded corner is easily Once satisfied, the screw
5.1875 removed with a sharp quarter holes can be countersunk.
inch chisel. The recesses for Countersinking too early will
3.0000 the two front door hinges on leave the holes too loose to
the edge of one upright of the register the buttons for filing.
other side can also be milled at The brackets securing the
this stage (photo 93). bottom of the rear clock plate
Whilst at the milling machine were milled and drilled. Note
their ends to hold the biscuits. door. I used small solid brass I recommend milling out the the brackets are handed - the
Use the router table with stops cabinet hinges 38mm high recess for the rear lock catch tapped holes securing the
to prevent the router grabbing by 22mm wide (opened out) plate. Unfortunately, your brackets are blind to avoid
the work and place a waste purchased from G. Johns & author has not found a supplier seeing the protruding screws
wood support behind the work Sons (ref 15). The recesses of small locks and catch plates through the case side windows.
to stop splitting where the can be cut out with chisels in and both the front door link Making the upper brackets
cutter breaks through. the traditional way but your plate lock and rear door cut will have to wait until the case
At this stage it is much author prefers to mount the plate lock need to be made. is complete (photo 94).
easier to cut the various wood on the milling table – Luckily the designs by Guy The last job before gluing
shallow recesses for the brass cleaned to make sure there is Gibbons (ref 16) are excellent the sides together is to drill
‘furniture’. Start with the two no oil present - and use a ⅛ for our purpose. I increased the the two 7mm diameter by ¼
recesses for the hinges in the inch diameter end mill. This height of Guy’s design of the inch deep holes for the brass
side of one of the uprights allows the shape and depth to cut plate lock by 0.100 inch so inserts that will be fitted for the
of the main body for the rear be cut with accuracy. The very that the screws could be 10BA upper clock securing screws.
rather than 12BA. The four parts of each side
Your author also had some can now be glued together and
94 difficulty in obtaining a suitable held by clamps until set. I used
looking key blank for these Gorilla glue.
small locks. Regrettably the lTo be continued.
source recommended by Guy
no longer appears to be able
to supply appropriate blanks. I REFERENCES
resorted to eBay and bought an
old key which I adapted. 15. G. Johns & Sons,
Whilst in the metal 719-721 Green Lanes,
workshop, make the other Winchmore Hill,
brass fittings for the case. The NR1 3RX
two escutcheons that protect 16. A Link Plate Lock for a
the wood around the key holes Bracket Clock Case, Guy
are formed from 1⁄32 inch brass Gibbons, Horological
sheet. After marking out, drill Journal, April 2008,
the two screw holes in each as pp146-147 and A Cut
well as the round hole for the Plate Lock for a Bracket
keyhole. Do not countersink Clock Case, Guy Gibbons,
the screw holes. Pierce out Horological Journal, May
and file to shape using buttons 2008, pp186-187.
Brass fittings for the case. to form the circular ends.
A
nyone who has built number of holes in the motor
Ellie will recognise which have to be in the correct
this publication position. Peter shows how he
from Camden books and it made a jig to achieve this.
follows the same format. A feature of the book is how gears. There are a number
Ephraim is described as a the author describes methods of suppliers of these on the
simple freelance steam Shay of testing the parts you have Internet at reasonable prices. It
locomotive for 45mm gauge. made to ensure they are going really is a feature of the design
I cannot see why it would not to work. I think this is a very that outsourced parts are
run on 32 mm track, making good idea as there is nothing easily obtainable from various
it dual gauge. The model is more frustrating than spending suppliers, keeping the cost of
loosely based on a class B hours making a part only to the model low.
type but there are a number of throw it in the bin as you test it. The pot boiler is almost
modifications to make it easier The motor is three-cylinder, the same as Ellie, the main
to build. single acting and omni- differences being that it is
The drawings are very directional and the author higher and all the bushes are
clear and all the dimensions goes to great lengths to on the top. Firing is the same,
seem to be there. On some explain how to make this. He using methylated spirits and
occasions you have to read makes use of his miller which a four-wick burner. I am sure it
the text to discover the size of is equipped with digital read would be easy to convert it to
the bar stock. There are lots out. If you do not have one gas for those who do not like
of photographs of the build of these, fear not because spirit fired boilers.
which are very useful and Camden are going to produce There is not a lot of plate
well reproduced. The text is a set of laser-cut parts just as work on a Shay so if you don’t
clear and concise with some they did for Ellie. This reduces like plate work this could be for
excellent explanation of the the build time considerably you! What is there is easy to
methods used. There are a and ensures the final model make and looks fine.
looks and works well. It is a freelance model so
One unusual feature of the do not expect it to be to scale.
motor is the rotary valve, which However, it does look the part
makes it much easier to build; and it would be easy to add
otherwise three sets of valve your own detail if required.
gear would be required. Peter If you have built an Ellie this
explains in great detail how to is an obvious next step. If
make this so even the beginner Camden can supply parts as
should not be overawed. they did for Ellie it should be
Camden will be able to supply a quick build, guaranteed to
a brass kit to make the motor run well and give you hours of
plates which are the difficult pleasure. Peter Scott’s book is
parts - the rest is simple an excellent place to start that
turning. Much of the engine next project.
comes from stock material
which should mean your ‘will Malcolm High
be useful one day’ box comes
into its own.
A feature of the Shay is of
course the Cardan shafts. For Published by Camden
these Peter has used easily Miniature Steam
obtainable universal joints Services, 2021
and square brass tubing. A ISBN 978-1-909358-52-2
number of parts have to be £18.95, 106pp, 30 drawings,
sourced for the locomotive, for paperback, size A4
instance the bevel and spur
www.model-engineer.co.uk 135
John
Arrowsmith
visits
the Sheffield society’s
Abbeydale track.
3 4
Lady member, Rose Francis owns this nicely maintained Hunslet, Ruth. Lady Joan, a 7¼ inch gauge Hunslet owned by Richard Davy.
5 6
Centurion, a new build locomotive by Mick Savage. This American styled 2-4-0 is owned by Adam Diskin.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 137
8 9
10 11
The adaptable disabled passenger carriage funded by the Lottery Funds for All Scheme. Pedestrian footbridge into the adjacent public woods.
Richard Davy. Mick Savage would associate with a fully gives access to the woods of the site towards the main
has his new build tender signalled system (photo 8) and walkways outside the club entrance before it levels out
locomotive, Centurion (photo including a screen for the site. A substantial retaining again (photo 12). Depending
5) also stored here. A Sweet onsite CCTV cameras and wall supports the ground on which circuit the driver has
William locomotive, Hobgoblin signal indicator boards. It here as the track curves back chosen to take determines
is the engine used to train all looks very professional, towards the station under the whether the train continues
the younger members in the efficient and controls most of footbridge (photo 11). The 1 in round or whether it arrives at
art of driving. An American the site. 37 downhill section starts here the main station. Approaching
outline 2-4-0 tender engine, Ella From the ground level and continues for the full length the main station, trains pass
(photo 6) is owned by one of station the line climbs steadily
their younger members, Adam to the top of the site where
Diskin. the main carriage storage 12
Outside on the maintenance sheds are located. Again, a
line club engine, Septimus robust and secure building
(photo 7) was having some ensures that all the stock
attention. This engine is based is well protected (photo 9).
on a Tinkerbell prototype and Included in their stock is an
was built by David Vere but it adaptable carriage that can
was donated to them by David take a wheelchair and carer if
Everingham in 2016. needed but with a removable
The signal box is the central seat it can also be used
next major infrastructure for general passenger duties
building on the site. This (photo 10).
comprehensive installation From this point on the track
is fully equipped with all the the line goes downhill under
basic bells and levers you the public footbridge which The main entrance where the outside ground level track crosses the road.
16 17
Operator access to the garden railway system. Carrying out essential maintenance.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 139
Teeny-Tiny 1
Engines PART 1
S
mall steam engines
seemed to be popular
Gerald last year (2020), what
Martyn with a revival of LBSC’s little
1
⁄8 inch piston oscillator in
finds that M.E. Vol. 225 No. 4647 in
small is beautiful. September and another
publication running one on
the build of a more complex
design too. These little things
are fun to make and a bit of
an escape from the rigours
of more serious projects.
They are also easy to lift
(unlike that last 5 inch gauge
monster) and storage space
required is not great (they may
even be allowed in the living LBSC oscillator.
room). This article is a ramble
around my experiences in Doesn’t he make it all sound project in the way of doing
miniaturising steam engines so simple?! My boiler was a anything about it. Then in late
through 2020. There are few bit different in that it had three 2019, after years of 5 inch
build photographs but I will be flues and an insulated outer gauge lumps, the urge to try
able to provide basic drawings casing. I also used ‘wet steam’ something really small became
to illustrate the designs. And and had no lubricator, but uncontrollable.
remember, Hornby made a otherwise not so very different. The first idea was to reduce
steam powered OO gauge I still have it and it still works the size of the LBSC design
Mallard commercially so my well (photo 1). and improve the aesthetics,
efforts are really pretty tame. A while later, after my third the old one being rather ‘top
Many years ago now, back locomotive and in the early heavy’, by using a horizontal
in the mid-1980s, I made my 1990s, I decided to try a tiny boiler. The aim was, essentially,
own version of the design slide valve engine. This is a to make a complete steam
published by LBSC in Shop horizontal layout, like a mill plant to fit on a beermat.
Shed and Road. You all have a engine, and has a 3⁄16 inch The piston diameter shrank
copy of this book, of course. diameter piston with ¼ inch to 3⁄32 inch and stroke to 7⁄32
stroke. The crosshead runs in inch - and everything else in
a trunk guide and a horizontal proportion. The two designs
2 meths-fired ‘pot’ boiler mentioned above were just
provides the steam. To my back-of-envelope jobs but
mind this gives a more visually these days I get some pleasure
pleasing installation (photo from laying things out on CAD
2). Again, it goes well. I later before cutting metal. I have
added the generator bit from to say here that TurboCad
one of those wind-up torches struggled a bit with some of
that were once popular and, in this as the sizes got smaller.
another box, mounted a couple Things had to be checked
of LEDs for it to light up. These to ensure the programme
are on a separable base so can had properly remembered
be used or not as I please. what I put down and, most
For many years the thought importantly, correctly stated
of making something smaller the dimensions without
kept entering my head but rounding error, particularly
Original mill engine. there was always a big if dimensioning in a scaled
Fig 2
1 3/8
Ø1
3/16 x 40 threads
1 5/8 Insulation
www.model-engineer.co.uk 141
squareness by holding up to
the light, something you can Fig 3 Casing and boiler assembly.
hardly see, pushed against a
square which is far too big. Steam valve
Your finger is in the way, and
then you drop the part … never
to be seen again. All this is Boiler
solved with the mill, which
gives accuracy and instant
squareness - and the part can
stay attached to whatever Casing
(square) bar it’s made from
until the very end. Another
essential item was a large Burner assy.
1 1/8
rectangular biscuit tin lid to
use as a workspace able to
catch any dropped parts. Other
small boxes and tins were
useful to corral them in prior to
final assembly.
The boiler (fig 2) was made
from what was to hand, so 1 11/32 2 3/4
a length of 1 inch x 20 SWG
copper tube and un-flanged 16
SWG end plates (another recent steel sheet the correct width going on than there is with a is necessary to put so much
theme I see). I use a centre stay for the box height between top Myford. The safety valve is load onto it with the adjuster
with threaded extensions to and bottom plates and fold ‘borrowed’ from the previous nut and spring that the friction
attach insulation cover plates it up into a rectangle to form models so is not shown in the stops the engine. This is less
and this provides a positively the sides. Trim the ends to drawing. The regulator valve of a problem with the larger
locatable sub-assembly mate (of course, it’s left over body is standard turning and engine which only leaks when
during subsequent soldering. long to start with) and secure silver soldering and takes a running flat-out. Anyway, who
Manufacture is in two stages, them with a joining strap and 7BA threaded spindle. There cares? This is not an exercise
provided the bushes are a snug a couple of 1⁄64 inch rivets. Pop are special nuts and nipples to in maximising efficiency so
fit. Firstly, assemble the end it on to an oversize piece of make, too, as there’s none this if it works that’s fine for me,
plates and centre stay and steel sheet and silver solder small to buy. even though a bit of steam
silver solder together. Pickle all around the edge and also It all fits on to a steel base comes out where it shouldn’t.
(I’m a fan of citric acid) and the join strap. Now trim back plate 3.25 inches square so I think the little cloud of steam
then assemble the end plates the edges and drill the filling a neat fit on a beer mat. The makes it look more interesting
sub-assembly into the boiler hole as this will be the top day of the test came. It works! anyway. The burner turned out
and pop the bushes into place. face. After pickling, solder the Though not quite as well as to be just right too, and the
Silver solder the lot, one end at bottom on in the same way is described by LBSC for his meths ran out just before the
a time and turning over once. and trim to size. Box done. larger one; ‘buzzing like a water. The finished assembly
The bushes hold the end plates Drilling for and soldering the hornet’. The main problem is shown in photo 3.
assembly in place and the end remaining bits, the extension is that to prevent steam
plates help to stop the bushes tube and burner head, is leakage at the port faces it lTo be continued.
falling out. It worked for me, fiddly and requires a bit of a
anyway, for the three boilers balancing act but it’s perfectly
made and all ‘right first time’. possible in one go. For a wick 3
Working pressure is a fairly I’ve tried glass-fibre strands,
modest 40 psi. which worked well with the
The boiler and casing larger models, but the best I’ve
assembly is shown in fig 3. found is a tight bundle made
Other than the boiler and from brass straining gauze.
fittings it’s all BMS. The burner This draws the meths up and
head is a piece of 5⁄16 inch also conducts heat down to
bar drilled 19/64 inch and aid vaporisation.
squashed to give a 1⁄8 inch The pipework is 2mm
slot width. The tank is made copper with cotton wound
by my ‘standard’ process around for insulation. For the
for boxes. I can’t recall this boiler fittings my old Unimat
method being published before 3 came back into use. It’s not
but I’m sure it’s being used as the best lathe in the world
it’s so simple and avoids any but the high speeds available
need to cut anything much are great for small stuff and
to exact size before folding there’s less danger in getting
or soldering. Cut a length of close enough to see what’s ⁄32 inch oscillator steam plant.
3
7 8
Opening up the crankcase cavity. Hogging out with a ‘T’ slot cutter. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 143
Fig 1
9 10
One problem that this engine a flat surface because the Part 9P - Timing base/ Part 11P - Sensor Mount
could suffer from is excess sump plug extends below bearing holder A brief word on the ignition
oil being thrown into the the line of the base. This can The equivalent to the timing system. The Puma uses two
opposed cylinders to be burnt be addressed in a number of base for this engine is twin cylinder ignition units in
off. Later on, we will tackle ways. I used stand-offs, but now a simple turning job. wasted spark mode with one
the new parts, one being the a larger section of aluminium The job then needs to be for cylinders 1 and 4 and the
sump baffles to minimise this angle could be used or a pair transferred to the mill for other for cylinders 2 and 3.
possibility. of parallel engine bearers your preferred method of The two units timing discs are
fabricated, or even just a larger drilling the pitch circle holes. on separate camshafts. The
Part 4P - Engine Mount hole cut in the base board. As The mounting point for the left-hand camshaft (viewed
The engine mounts are made it is, you are going to need a timing belt tensioner has to from the rear) is used as the
from a section of aluminium hole in the baseboard to be be determined from the job. trigger for cylinders 1 and
angle. The drawing shows able to remove the sump plug That will be done later when 4 unit and the right-hand
that the mounts do not allow to drain the oil at some point we deal with setting up the camshaft used for cylinders
the engine to be mounted on (photo 9). camshafts (photo 10). 2 and 3. Each timing disc has
145
I/C ENGINES
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Fig 2
A A
56
60
26
34
M2.5
B 60 5mm deep B
92 10 M3
M4
Ø 12
18
M4
2.5
78
42 Ø34
51
44
60
60
34
19
Ø34
M3
C Ø38 Ø3 C
R5 0
18
13
8
R4
M3 18 25 25 18
2
56
Ø1
6
2.5
3
5
15 12 28 12 25
26
D D
10
Ø8
34
Ø24
4
Ø3
26
E E
Ø
24
M3
4
Ø3
www.model-engineer.co.uk
40 31
21
Dept. Technical reference Created by Approved by
Pete Targett 11/11/2020
Document type Document status
Title DWG No.
F All dims mm PUMA F
Part #1
Crankcase Rev. Date of issue Sheet
1/1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
two magnets mounted at 180
degrees to each other on the 11 12
edge of the disc.
The sensor mount is located
between the two timing discs
with two hall sensors located
on the edge, one for each
ignition unit (photos 11 and
12).
The mount is a relatively
easy machining job; an
aluminium block with slots Sensor mount showing cable runs.
in each side to take the Hall CAD rendering showing revised timing
switch sensors and a 4mm base/bearing holder and sensor mount.
lateral hole between the two
slots and 6mm hole for the Part 12P - Timing disc Photograph 14 shows the was probably insufficient
sensor cables. The Bobcat timing disc ignition units being tested with ‘wrap’ around the crankshaft
I made my own sensor has two magnets mounted a proprietary pulse generator pulley with only 2 or 3 teeth
cables but the ignition units on the face so it needs to but this can be replaced by the being engaged. The next
come with sensors pre- be aluminium. The Puma supplied hall sensor to check size belt is 165mm but it
wired. However, they also timing discs have two 3mm the magnets. then needs some means of
have the connectors to the x 3mm neodymium magnets Find the end of the magnet tensioning the belt. I have
ignition units. This will either mounted on the outer edge. that triggers the sensor and simply used a stack of three
necessitate the connectors The magnets are secured with mark with a felt tip pen. You MR63-ZZ bearings on a low
being removed or the cables Loctite or similar. Care must be will need four magnets - check profile 3mm cap screw with
re-routing on the outside of the taken to ensure the magnets and recheck, you do not want washers at each end and a
sensor mount. The sensors are are installed the correct way. to find out later that one locking nut at the base. This
mounted in the slots with the If the wrong pole is outermost, cylinder will not fire. You will be is located near the 12 o’clock
bevelled edges outermost and the sensors will not trigger. searching for all sorts of other hole in the timing base/rear
the top of the sensor to the To do this you could use reasons before you discover bearing holder (part 9). You
top of the slot in the sensor your ignition unit as a test the magnet has been installed may find that a new mounting
mount. I used ‘sensor safe’ bed but please read the the wrong way round. hole is required to get the
RTV silicone gasket maker instructions. In particular, correct tension (photo 15).
(photo 13). Ensure the sensor, the RcXel CDI units can be Part 102P - Sensor If you do not have access to
or silicon gasket, does not destroyed if you use them mount standoff a low profile cap screw, you
extend beyond the surface of without spark plugs fitted Other than saying that two are can machine down the head
the sensor mount as the timing and, as they are twin units, required, one of 12mm and one of a standard cap screw just
disc is pretty close to it. that means two spark plugs. of 14mm, these are a simple leaving enough of the hex to
machining job that probably be able to hold it while the lock
does not warrant any other nut is tightened against the
13 description. Aluminium, brass timing base/bearing holder.
or steel is your choice.
14 15
Coronavirus advice is changing! Please follow local government advice in Wales, Ireland, Scotland or England as appropriate, especially if you are considering buying or selling items for collection.
Tools and Machinery Free to collect or carriage. Shame to scrap ■ 5”g Jinty. LMS 0-6-0. Rolling Chassis
■ Myford ML7B lathe c/w vertical slide, ‘em. T. 01757 702437. Selby, N. Yorks. with professional copper boiler with
F/R clutch, four jaw independent chucks, certificate, sundry other castings and
two three jaw s/c chucks, faceplate, ■ 5” gauge Maid of Kent. Outside components plus copy of Martin Evans
milling cutters, 25 M/T drills, £1,750 ONO. cylinder complete rolling chassis, runs construction series and drawings. £1,500
Atlas lathe c/w F/R powered cross slide, on air. Full tin work and spares. £1,800 o.n.o. Buyer arranges delivery.
chucks, gears, stand. £650 ONO. ONO. Western Steam new boiler for T. 01525 872675. Toddington.
T. 01352 711163. Holywell. Maid of Kent, never used, some fittings
£2,000 ONO. T. 01460 419969.
■ Seneca Falls Star lathe. Photos and full Crewkerne.
details on request. T. 07957 168686.
Models
■ 5” gauge Stirling single for sale,
photos can be supplied, 4,300 pounds.
T. 07443 456616. Bexhill on Sea.
YOUR FREE ADVERTISEMENT (Max 36 words plus phone & town - please write clearly) ❑ WANTED ❑ FOR SALE
LNER B1 Locomotive
PART 2 – TENDER
T
here was no room in the hopefully they will be able to This is not the case as they
first instalment of the supply you with all your needs always had the much larger
series due to the lack of in this matter. If you find any 4,200 gallon tenders but just
space in the magazine, so here anomalies on my drawings, had these lower profile coal
is the general arrangement please let me know so that plates. In the middle 1950s
drawing of the B1 (fig 1). I can amend my drawings these were all altered to a
Now reading through part 1, so that the next set which similar profile to match the
I realise that I made a little goes out will be corrected. cab roof. The rear coal plates
mistake in the numbers as You can email me on doug@ were now centred on the water
the new frame plates for the doughewson.co.uk with any dome at the back of the tender.
locomotive and tender started queries you may have. I am I have left a piece of plate
with 61350 whereas I had it always pleased to hear from loose to go in there so that the
down as 61340. Sorry about anyone. engine can be driven.
the confusion. Fortunately, for people like Another difference is
I thought that we would us, the locomotives all kept that several of the B1s had
make a start on the B1 their own tenders throughout tenders where the side plate
tenders as there are quite their lives so I can refer to did not extend to the tops
a number of differences. them as if they were the of the sides. There was an
Basically, there are five engines themselves. I just additional plate riveted on to
different ones but you must think it is very sad that one the outsides to achieve the
pair them with the locomotive sees a lot of B1s on exhibition correct height. This applied
numbers which I will give stands which are immaculately to tenders on locomotives
you in the text as we go finished but look nothing like with the numbers 61355
along. For a start, the tender an LNER B1, other than they and 56, and 61400 to 09 and
underframes changed with have the correct number of others. All these tenders had
the locomotive number 61350 wheels on them. The first countersunk rivets to join the
and those which followed. ten tenders built had low plates but there were some
After that the tenders had the coal plates front and rear of them that had snap head
frames which were squared and I think that Martin Evans rivets to join the plates and
off at the front and rear. I have thought that they were the these were 61532, 3 and 4 and
sent all my drawings to Geoff much smaller 3,500 gallon 61537. One more anomaly
Stait at G & S Supplies so tenders as paired with the K3s. was that the drag beams were
11 12
www.model-engineer.co.uk 149
150
LNER B1
151
PART 1
Adventures with Injectors
H
ave you ever considered Now, that’s a problem. I thought I had a reasonable
designing your own Because the 8X injector is grasp of how injectors work
Roger Froud studies the injectors? Possibly not, pretty small, with a body that’s but that pesky ball valve on
theory and practice of but if you have, you’ve probably only 8mm diameter. All of the top didn’t seem to make sense
started with Bob Bramson’s designs I know of have a valve to me. For those who know
making injectors. book All you need to know that has to fit about half way how this all works, skip the
about Miniature Injectors and along the injector, usually next few paragraphs but you
Ejectors. If you’re just happy on the top. The 8X injector might be surprised by my
to make a proven design, with doesn’t have anywhere to hide conclusions.
tried and trusted methods, one of those. I’ve seen some
then you’ve probably bought very clever designs for a 10X Injector basics...
D.A.G. Brown’s book Miniature injector that’s over scale, and This has all been covered
Injectors Inside and Out. Both other novel ideas for a scale extensively elsewhere but, if
are excellent publications but 10X injector that incorporate you follow along, you’ll see
neither provides the solution to a sleeve valve. However, any why I thought something has
the problem I’ve given myself. valve is a potential source of been overlooked.
I’m currently attempting trouble, so ideally I didn’t want A quick note about
to build a plausible one that was inaccessible. terminology, because it can get
representation of 0-6-0 PT Looking at the works drawings confusing (fig 1). I’ll be careful
1501 based on LBSC’s SPEEDY of the 8X injector, I noticed to avoid the term combining
chassis but there’s a problem. that there’s a foot valve on cone, that’s often used,
1501 takes its water from the the overflow in addition to the because it’s usually two cones.
left-hand pannier tank straight crocodile nose style of valve Yes, I know, I’ve already used
into an 8X injector via a valve where half the combining that term in the last paragraph
and a cast 90 degree bend. cone opens up to aid starting. but in that case it’s the most
The right-hand injector is fed This foot valve is fitted to sensible term for the injector in
through a circuitous route stop air being sucked into question where the whole nose
from the left-hand tank, under the boiler, something which opens up.
the boiler to the right-hand causes corrosion in steel The extensive development
injector. Now, anyone with the boilers. work done by others has
least bit of common sense Fitting a valve there in a provided us with a great deal
would just ignore all that and scale injector is certainly of practical information. It tells
fit standard injectors, fed feasible. It might be us what taper angles work well,
differently. However, since I problematical though, because shows us graphs we can use
don’t have any common sense, it needs a spring. Clearly a for choosing throat diameters
I wanted to replicate the scale spring would have to be very based on the required delivery
8X injectors as scale items, light indeed if it wasn’t going volume and pressure and
fitted and plumbed as they are to create back pressure that much more. Most of this is
on its big brother. They’re very results in steam going back up based on good physics and
visible and would look great, the water feed pipe rather than there’s no point in revisiting
especially if they worked! feeding water! these fundamentals.
Fig 1
Injector nomenclature.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 153
Obituary 12 year old Richard at the controls
of his 3½ inch gauge Maisie.
Richard Knott
T
he steam fraternity of several locomotives himself, Traction World. With Richard’s
the South were shocked including a Southern Railway support and Steve’s superb
and saddened to hear Schools Class and loved engineering skills they rebuilt
of the news of the sudden having his friends around him two 1907 Model R Stanley
and untimely passing of running the railway. Steam Cars. Richard named
Richard Knott. Although he Richard also owned a 4½ his Alice, in honour of his wife
had struggled with aspects of inch Foden showman’s wagon Connie’s mother.
his health over recent years, Pride of Edwin (featured in Each year he would kindly
he had felt that he had turned Model Engineer issue 4679, host boiler inspections at
the corner and that things 3rd December 2021) and a 4 his house with up to a dozen
were very much improving. In inch Foster traction engine engine owners joining to have
fact, he visited the Wimborne which he had converted to a a ‘mass’ inspection and to
District Model Engineers club crane engine. His interest is chat and swap stories before
on 30th October 2021 and was steam started when as a 12 planning the year ahead’s rally
in very good spirits laughing year old boy his father bought season.
and joking with his friends. him a 3½ inch gauge Maisie His funeral at Bournemouth
Richard was a well-known steam locomotive, which was Crematorium was well
and popular figure in the steam his pride and joy and he would attended by his friends and
community, especially within give rides to the public at the family and the presence of
the model steam arena, and track of the Bournemouth club David Loader’s Wallis and
he was lucky enough to own at Kinson. Steevens oilbath road roller to
his own 5 inch gauge railway He also owned a 30 foot lead the hearse on Richard’s
called Luscombe Valley which steam launch Annabelle and final journey was very fitting
opened in 1996, which he had an extensive 00 gauge and was greatly appreciated.
ran at his Sandbanks home model railway layout based It is intended to have a
in Dorset. The railway had on the Somerset and Dorset celebration of Richard’s life in
been his lifetime’s work and Railway. His Lykamobile steam 2022 at Poole Yacht Club.
it was due to re-open in 2022 car gave him the interest to
for some charity public open embark upon a major project
days after a number of years with his great friend, the
out of public action. He owned late Steve Baldock of Steam Paul Ritchie
Richard driving his Foden in the grounds of his house in 2019. David Loader’s Wallis and Steevens oil bath road roller escorts Richard’s final journey.
PART 3
A Ransomes Elevator
Racks to the ends of the first racks, to the mill bed, using X-Y
Next bits were the racks. An to allow the elevator to reach coordinates to locate the two
interesting job... First, back its full height. Now I need a end points. Then the back
to the foundry for castings reference surface in order to face was milled in a series of
(photo 30). There are two cut the teeth. steps, using coordinates from
racks permanently fitted, with After machining the end the CAD drawings (photo 31).
two more which are bolted face, the casting was clamped The finish looks rough, but
30 31
Rack castings emerge from the sand. Coordinate milling the curve on the rack. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 155
32 33
Coordinate milling a fixture for the rack. Fixture mounted on the milling table.
34 35
Cutting a tooth in the rack. Continuing to the teeth on the second rack.
36 37
Pinning the second lug to the rack for silver soldering. Complete raising gear.
only needed a quick clean-up and mounted square on the Now the tricky bit. Moving second section is bolted to the
with a file. table (photo 33). Now the first the stationary cutter back to first and the process continues
Now, how to cut the teeth? section of rack was clamped about half way, with a tooth to the end of the complete
The pitch diameter is some 60 to the jig using a normal clamp at the lowest point, the rack is rack (photo 35). Just two more
inches, too big for my rotary to hold it horizontally and a held in place by the cutter. The sections to go!
table... custom-made clamp to hold it clamps are slackened, the table The sections of rack are
So, I reverted to cheating. vertically. With the cutter on is moved by one tooth pitch, bolted together using two
First, I cut a form matching the the horizontal arbour set to the dragging the rack with it. The bolts. However, in order for the
underside of the rack section centre line of the rack's curve clamps are tightened, the cutter rack sections to move around
in a nice piece of oak, again in the Y direction and to the moved clear and the table the jig, the blanks were cast
using coordinates from the correct depth (using the back is moved back to its original with only one lug. After cutting
drawings (photo 32). This was face as a reference) on the Z position, ready to cut the next the teeth, the second lug was
bolted to an angle plate (well, direction, the first tooth was tooth (photo 34). As the end pinned in place and silver
the fixed jaw of a vice, actually) cut at one end. of the section approaches, the soldered on (photo 36).
Undercarriage
Lacking any real detail, I 40 41
decided to copy this from the
threshing drum. The front
assembly has an arrangement
which allows the front axle to
rotate from side to side when
moving over uneven surfaces,
thus avoiding flexing the
frame. Photographs 38 and 39
show the components which
allow this.
Photograph 40 shows a
pile of bits destined for the
front axle assembly, with Front axle metalwork. Assembled front axle.
photo 41 showing how it all
goes together. Photograph
42 shows the axles. The two 42 43
shorter items are the stub
axles for the front. These are
set in slots in the timber, at an
angle, to allow for the dish in
the wheels. They are attached
by bolts from the lower casting
at the inside end and U-bolts at
the outer end.
The rear axle is simply fitted
in a slot in the timber and
bolted through. To allow for Axles. Setting the angle on the rear axle.
the dish in the wheels, the
ends of the axle are set at
the same angle as the fronts 44
(photo 43).
The wheels were made
exactly the same way as those
on the drum. As I covered
those in detail in the article on
the drum, I won't bore you with
details here! Photograph 44
shows frame, undercarriage
and wheels together at last.
●To be continued.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 157
Peter
Seymour-
Howell
builds a fine, fully
detailed model of
Gresley’s iconic
locomotive to Don
Young’s drawings.
PART 26 -
FRONT BUFFERS
Painting by Diane Carney.
Flying Scotsman
in 5 Inch Gauge
Buffer heads
I started with the buffer heads
as I had the material to hand,
in fact, I bought this at the last
Midlands model engineering
exhibition, so it's about time
that I got on with them. First,
I had to decide if I was going
to add greatly to my swarf bin
by machining from solid or
whether to machine the heads
and shanks separately - I took
the latter route.
3. The stock was turned down to the diameter required 4. I decided to machine the heads purely by eye. With
and was then faced at 8 degrees for the rear of the the shank fully cured to the head and now held in the Buffer stocks
buffer head. A start was then made on the parting off. chuck I first turned down the middle of the face at an The stocks are pretty little things but the
The head was drilled and tapped 1 BA to match the angle of 8 degrees to match the rear face. I did this in design is a lot more involved than I had
shank (being careful not to go too deep) and the shank stages alternating between the two buffers, a method first thought. They sure do involve a lot
was fitted using Loctite 638. To ensure that the shank I used throughout the machining of the two buffer of machining, especially when the steel
remained central while curing I used the drill chuck that front faces. I next reduced the angle to 4 degrees and bar that I've used is so much wider than
loosely held it in line. After around 10 minutes (enough machined the inner section of the face. I then took the required, so after creating a lot of swarf to
for initial curing) I parted off the buffer. angle out to around 20 degrees and machined the outer get close to size I had a cleanup and then
edge. The rest was done by hand with files and paper. machined the basic stepped shape.
6. The stock is shown here machined to 7. I then changed the tool for a 6mm profile cutter and 8. The final job was to finish the lip by file and also
the key dimensions. set the topslide to 55 degrees to machine the shoulder. take the sharp edge off the top of the angle. Next, I
bored out the stock to fit the internal sleeve. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 159
10. Once I had got the second buffer stock to the same stage as
the first it was time to reverse them in the jaws to do the internal
chamber. I used my recently purchased set of blacksmith drills.
The angle is supposed to be 55 degrees, but since the drill tip is
close at 59 that will do for me. The depth is determined by the
outside profile having an equal thickness all round.
12. Each stock was set in turn on the rotary table with some steel plates under the flange
to give room for the drill to go through without hitting the jaws. A wobbler was then used to
centre the table. Once centred the head was moved out on the X axis by 0.625 inch to give the
1¼ inch diameter arc for the holes. It was then a simple job of clocking the table by 90 degrees
for each hole which was first centre drilled and then finished with a No. 44 bit.
14. Here are the two stocks with backplates
15. This picture shows the discs being set up with a stop in the fitted and the corners radiused to ⅛ inch.
tailstock and tooling set to cut at 1⁄16 inch width. All metal discs are
the same width but of two diameters and here we have the larger size
which fits into the buffer stock. The bar has already been drilled to fit
over the buffer shank’s wider section.
Buffer dampers
The buffers contain no
16. Once the discs had been cut the same springs. Resistance to
bar was then drilled and tapped to be used compression is provided
for holding the rubber sections ready to be instead by dampers formed
turned. The rubber is 3 mm nitrile which of a stack of rubber discs,
was chosen as it’s oil resistant. It also has alternated with steel discs.
what I thought to be a reasonable spring There are two stacks of
rate - I will admit to taking a guess here as discs – one set behind the
I had no way of knowing how this would buffer beam and a set of
work once joined with the other discs. larger diameter discs in the
It just felt right and Don had mentioned buffer stock.
to forget tap washers as they were too
hard. Here I have all 6 rubber discs to be
machined together.
17. Here we have all of the large discs. I 18. It was now time to drill the holes for
made a mistake here - on checking the the mounting studding, I first turned up a
size for the smaller discs I noticed that the jig that was a sliding fit to the stock and
rubber discs are slightly smaller than the a drift fit to the centre buffer hole in the
steel, as these are hidden in the stock and front beam. With the jig tapped home I
as there is a 1⁄16 inch space around them I could simply slide each stock on and use a
saw no reason to turn then down further. square for lining up and then transfer each
I didn’t take pictures for the smaller discs hole. When doing this type of job I always
as they followed the same method of do one hole at a time, drill, tap and fit a
machining. There are twelve of these so I bolt to hold the stock on, check all is still
did them in two batches and there are 14 square and then move onto the next hole.
steel discs. Let’s just say that they kept
me busy for a while.
19. After a lot of effort I got the sprung Buffer assembly also in position this left the
unit into the housing. I have to say that First, I fitted the studding for discs within the housings -
it certainly looks the part and works as attaching the buffers to the now this is a real pain. At first,
intended. The housing spring is softer beam. With all holes drilled/ I tried to feed each disc on
than the stock spring so that you get two tapped I cut up eight one inch one at a time but this proved
rates of action and both are very strong, lengths of 8 BA studding and impossible as the assembly
I struggle to compress the stock spring, using Loctite 638 bonded as a whole is compressed and
which is how it should be. A last resort so each one into the front beam. although I could get most of
to speak although, as Don states, buffers I did consider leaving these the discs on I couldn't get the
on the front of an engine aren’t going to removable for painting but final few in. I then remembered
do a lot if hitting the end of a platform decided there would be no that Don stated that in full
with a 500 ton train. I’ll remember not to problem painting/lining with size these discs are all bonded
do that... the studs there, in fact I may to form two springs (he did
even paint the beam with give them a name but I can't
buffer stocks fitted. remember it just now). So, I
Once all was cured and took them all off and using
primed I moved onto the a suitable transfer punch
assembly. The large discs bonded each disc to the next
where first inserted into the using rubber superglue which
20. Here’s a picture stocks, the backing plate fitted worked very well.
of the buffers fitted and slid onto the studs and
to the buffer beam. bolted up. With the buffer itself ●To be continued.
NEXT ISSUE
Railway Crane Measuring Threads
Kevin Baldwin brushes Jacques Maurel offers
up his blacksmithing solutions to the problem
skills and knocks up a of measuring screw
7¼ inch gauge steam threads, both external
crane. and internal.
Ellie Ballaarat
Tony Bird makes his Luker completes the
own version of Ellie, valve chests by adding
described in Andrew the valve spindles and
Allison’s book. goes on to make the
crossheads.
Content may be subject to change.
We Visit
Rugby
ENGINEERING GROUP
Thompson B1
£4.40
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Ron Fitzgerald takes a
look at the history and
development of the
stationary steam engine.
The Stationary
Continued from p.17
M.E. 4680, 17 December 2021 Steam Engine
PART 29 – THE FOUNDRY FLOOR – SAND MOULDING
nlike loam moulding Many of the earliest
U
canal aqueduct. As a method
the other two great non-belligerent products of floor moulding, open sand
branches of the foundry- of the first modern English was acceptable for basic
man’s craft, green sand and cast-iron producers, the forms but the top surface of
dry sand moulding, used ironmasters of the Weald the casting was limited to
wooden patterns to create an of Kent, were firebacks and being horizontal and level.
impression in sand. Casting grave slabs made in this way. Open sand moulding was also
finished products in sand Geometrically more elaborate a source of imperfections
probably owed its origins to patterns penetrating more in the air-surface of the
the practice of running metal deeply into the sand produced casting due to slag and gas
from the smelting furnace more complex shapes such bubbles rising through the
into pig beds cut into the as cast-iron water troughs or molten metal and also as a
floor sand of the casting deep section bars and plates. result of the formation of the
area. The more imaginative This was the origin of open meniscus at the edges. These
foundrymen would realise that sand floor moulding. shortcomings led to a major
any object impressed into the Basic open sand casting advance in foundry technology
sand would leave a cavity into survived until the end of the which was to develop into the
which the metal could be run, eighteenth century. The cast- highly sophisticated practice
creating a facsimile in cast- iron beams for the Ditherington of green sand moulding.
iron and that carved, wooden Flax Mill were cast in this way Green sand moulding is
patterns could be used to as were the trough panels for broadly divided into floor
make decorated objects. Telford’s Longden-on-Tern moulding, which derives
directly from the open sand
moulding described above and
84 box moulding. Floor moulding
was mainly reserved for heavier
work whilst box moulding dealt
with lighter, portable articles.
The term green sand alludes
to the rock sand in the state
that it comes from the quarry.
At the foundry it was mixed in
a damp state with a proportion
of ground coal or charcoal
until it attained the state of a
cohesive mass. The dampness
was enhanced as necessary
but excessively wet sand was
to be avoided as it constituted
a cause of explosions during
casting. Where a good finish
was required, the newly mixed
material was used on its own
as a facing but for the mass of
the mould behind the facing,
the sand was recovered from
the foundry floor which was
composed of the accumulated
recycled moulding material
Floor moulding a large cast-iron girder. from previous jobs. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 163
The connection with open position. Moulding sand mixed moulding was taking place. the gas was expelled ahead of
sand moulding will be apparent with powdered coal was then The method by which these the advancing molten metal.
from the following description rammed down into the space cores were made constituted When the metal spaces in the
of heavy green sand moulding between the external walls of a distinctive part of the mould were full of molten iron
for the cast-iron beam shown the pattern and the sides of the foundry trade known as dry the iron rose up the feeding
in fig 84, top left. The beam excavate pit, bringing the sand sand moulding. In dry sand gates and gathered in the
consists of a vertical web with up to floor level after which the moulding, the cores were sand bowls. This emerging molten
top and bottom flanges, the pattern was carefully removed moulded in a moulding box metal gave a visible indication
lower of which has a vertical without damaging the sand which formed the pattern. that the mould was completely
re-entrant flange. The flanges mould. The charcoal wash used When complete they were a full of metal but it also
are stiffened by triangular to dress the sides of the mould reflected counterpart of the provided a reserve to cover
fillet pieces, end plates and in loam moulding was replaced internal surfaces of the girder. shrinkage as the iron cooled.
diaphragms. in green sand moulding by After being dried to hardness The feeding gates served one
As in loam work the powdered coal. Again, the in a core stove, the cores were further function; they allowed
preparatory process was to gasification of the coal created located in the floor mould, the dross, which was lighter
excavate a pit in the foundry pressure which prevented the separated from each other and than the iron, to float clear of
floor of dimensions somewhat molten iron from permeating the exterior mould walls by the the level of the main casting.
larger than the wooden pattern into the interstices between the spaces into which the molten After the casting had cooled to
for the beam. The base of the sand grains, leaving a smooth metal would be run to form the solid, the gates were knocked
pit was lined with ashes to give face to the casting. webs, flanges and other details off taking the dross with them.
free ventilation when steam At this point the mould of the casting. Floor moulding was reserved
and other gases began to form represented only the exterior At this point a significant for the largest and heaviest
as the molten metal entered the surfaces of the casting and departure from open sand castings. For less substantial,
mould. Over the ashes a layer provision now had to be casting followed. After a more portable castings similar
of sand formed the bed for the made for the interior profile of layer of fine parting sand was but smaller scale versions
pattern which was lowered the finished beam including sprinkled over the exposed top of the cast-iron boxes,
into place with its vertical web features such as the fillets surface of the mould and the also known as flasks, were
uppermost, laid horizontally and diaphragms. Cores were cores, a cast-iron box-shaped employed. Flat work such as
and with the re-entrant flange used for this purpose. For a cover, the cope box, was plates or more elaborate items
resting on the sand bed. The hollow casting such as the placed over the full area of the such as domestic smoothing
pattern was firmly impressed girder illustrated, a series of mould, its edges resting on the irons (sad irons), cast-iron
into the underlying sand by such moulded, rectangular, sand of the foundry floor. The surrounds for domestic fires
light blows without disturbing block cores were prepared cope box had no top or bottom and the frame parts for textile
the level and square of its at the same time as the floor but four sides only connected machinery were usually cast in
by internal cross bars. It was boxes, the lower box known as
positioned by guide pegs so the drag box and the upper the
85 that it could be lifted easily cope box.
and re-positioned accurately. The boxes (fig 85) again
Moulding sand was then had four sides but no top and
rammed up within the cope no bottom and an internal
box. The internal cross bars grid of cast-iron bars to give
assisted in creating a self- additional support to the
supporting sand mass. On the rammed-up sand. The bars of
top surface of the cope, sand the upper or cope box usually
bowls were formed into which terminated within one or two
the molten metal would be inches of the base but the bars
poured. The base of the bowls of the drag box had a much-
was pierced by holes known reduced depth with a more
as pouring gates, by which the substantial cross-section in
molten metal was introduced order to give a greater free
into the mould below. The depth of moulding sand. The
gates were spaced such that boxes were fitted with handles
the metal did not have the to facilitate lifting which was
chance to cool before meeting usually manual.
the flow from the adjacent gate The procedure when
thus avoiding solidification moulding a flat plate
boundaries (cold shuts). commenced by laying the
Pairs of smaller bowls at pattern on a smooth, level,
either end of the casting board and placing the cope or
resembled the pouring bowls upper box over it in an inverted
but performed a quite different position, grid bars uppermost,
role. The gates at the base leaving adequate space
of these bowls, the feeding between the edge of the pattern
gates, communicated with and the inner face of the box. A
the casting voids and initially covering of facing sand mixed
Moulding boxes (figs 5 and 6 the upper or cope box, fig 7 the lower or drag box). served as vents through which with coal dust was then strewn
over the pattern and the box used for the cores was a
was partially filled with floor mainly green sand finely 86
sand, rammed up firmly around graded but some foundries
the edges of the pattern. mixed with the new sand a
Over the face of the pattern proportion of floor sand. The
more sand was added but the name dry sand is occasioned
intensity of the ramming in this by the fact that after being
area was sufficient only to give moulded the core must be
cohesion. Once filled, the sand oven dried to hardness.
in the box was swept level with Although cores could
the top edges and the box was become very elaborate, a
lifted clear of the base board relatively simple example of a
and turned over. job requiring a multi-part box
The exposed surface of the and a core will make the basic
pattern and the moulded sand principles clear. The cast-iron
was cleaned up and sleeked. bush for cart-wheels was a
Vent holes were made with common foundry product and
wires, any surplus sand cleared is included in Stringer’s 1700
off and a layer of parting sand list of products. The bush
sprinkled over what were to (fig 86 – ‘fig 2’) is a tapered
become the contact surfaces cylinder with an internal Moulding a cart-axle bush
between the cope and the drag. tapered hole that will form
The cope was placed over the the journal running on the The two patterns containing task was to remove the core
drag, guided accurately into similarly tapered end of the the core spindle were mounted pin from the finished cooled
place by pins. Wooden dowels forged and turned stub axle vertically on a board using casting, again, by driving it
were located to provide for the of the cart. In the middle of the narrow-end core print out from the smallest end of
poring gates and the box was the internal hole there is an projection inserted into holes the taper. The sand which has
filled with floor sand ensuring enlarged chamber for grease. in the board (fig 86 – ‘fig 3’). formed the grease reservoir
that it was firmly packed under The bush is driven into the The middle section of the crumbled to debris which could
the cross bars and rammed up. wooden hub of the cart three-part moulding box (fig be blown out of the mould.
Finally, the surplus sand was wheel and, to prevent turning, 86 – ‘B’) was inverted and set This brief and necessarily
removed and the top strickled two feathers are cast into over the patterns. Sand was less than adequate summary
level with the cross bars and the surface at the end. The rammed-up round the main of the work of the foundry
edge of the box. Venting holes running surface is chilled to body of the pattern within moulder does not do justice to
were pierced with wires, the harden the iron against wear. the box. In the same way, the a craft that was the foundation
runner gate dowels were Cart bushes were pair-cast in base section of the box (fig of modern engineering. Loam
removed leaving the gates open the same mould. The moulding 86 – ‘C’) was placed over the moulding has now disappeared
and pouring bowls formed at box was octagonal in plan and tops of the patterns and filled entirely and only limited
their entries. in three parts, the middle one with rammed-up sand, a layer number of foundries survive
The cope was then removed of which corresponds with of parting sand having been that are capable of undertaking
and inverted for finishing on the longest taper of the bush previously applied between sand moulding. Whilst few who
its underside. In the surface (fig 86 – ‘fig 1’). The spindle the two sand faces. The two knew the trade will mourn the
of the sand of the drag box of the core that will form the boxes were turned over and end of the satanic conditions
runners were cut in the sand journal in the bush consisted the baseboard detached after that characterized the foundry
between the pouring gates and of a turned and polished iron which the top box (fig 86 – ‘A’) environment, the loss of the
the pattern. The pattern was pin with the same taper as was placed over the narrow profound skills of the moulder
then carefully removed and the the hole and longer at each ends of the patterns and filled and his sometime ally, the
detail of the face powdered end than the total body length with sand. Two pouring gates patternmaker can only be
with plumbago or charcoal of the bush (fig 86 – ‘fig 3b’). were pierced through the walls lamented. (As a personalised
dust and finally sleeked with (The inclusion of the metal of the mould, one entering the account of life in a small
moulding trowel. The mould pin is exceptional, most cores casting void at the top parting jobbing foundry the elegiac
was blown clear of loose were made wholly of dry and the other extending to the series Black Sand by George
material with domestic bellows sand.) This iron spindle will lower parting. At this point, W. Eves, published in Model
and the cope replaced over also give accelerated cooling the three mould boxes were Engineer between January and
the drag, locked in position or to the iron as it is cast, the separated and the pattern August 1961, alternate issues
weighted. The box was now resultant chilled surface being was removed from the middle 3015-3035, ranks as a classic.)
ready for casting. harder than the rest of the box by driving it out from the
The process described iron. The projecting ends are smallest end of the taper. ●To be continued.
above was box moulding at its referred to as core prints and The three boxes were then
simplest. For more complex serve to locate the core in re-assembled and clamped up
shapes boxes with three or position in the mould. In the with the core pin alone located
more parts were often needed position to be occupied by the in place by the core print NEXT TIME
and patterns with loose grease reservoir, dry sand was recesses. Casting took place We move on to the story
pieces would require cores. moulded around the centre of and after the metal solidified of Boulton and Watt’s
Core moulding used its own the pin and hard-baked in the the mould was broken up to Soho Foundry.
patterns and the material core oven (fig 86 – ‘fig 3b’). release the casting. The final
www.model-engineer.co.uk 165
A Summer Gathering
of (Strictly) Bulleids
A
fter long months of Although his role embraced their projects, given we were
pandemic precautions modernisation across all often attempting to solve the
Rob Speare attends an that have caused the rolling stock, it is for his steam same problems. After coaxing
exclusive gathering of cancellation of many popular locomotive designs that a few people to write, other
events, it was particularly Bulleid is most associated builders offered their notes,
Bulleid builders at the pleasing when along came a and for which he had most leading to a website dedicated
Andover club track. special day, helping to restore passion. Like all interesting to Bulleid’s locomotives and
some balance and give a prototypes, his locomotives personal stories collected
boost. In early September at caught the eye of modellers, from people making live
Andover, a gathering of the and the keenest seem to be steam models of them.
Bulleid Builders Group (BBG) those who regularly rode Modelling a three cylinder
proved to be just that sort of behind them, or were train- Bulleid Pacific is not for the
day, a reminder of what it’s all spotters in the last decades of faint hearted and even when
about. Southern main-line steam. working to the same design
The BBG are an informal Live steam models of with drawings, builders have
group of model engineers that Bulleid’s locomotives are ingenious but different ways
run or are building models fairly rare and there are few of solving construction
based on the designs of recognised designs. In 7¼ puzzles. The website has
O.V.S. Bulleid, the last Chief inch gauge is an Ernest Steel often proved to be a point
Mechanical Engineer of the design for Bassett Lowke, a of reference, a place where
Southern Railway. Coming to three cylinder, air smoothed builders share their solutions
the post aged 55, his tenancy Pacific, Winston Churchill, to issues; you can view it at
ran from 1937 until his complete with internal chain www.bulleidlocos.org.uk
departure in 1949, shortly after driven valve gear. In 5 inch Back in 2017, a group,
Railway Nationalisation, when gauge, Ariel – a complex derived mainly from
everything was changing. design for a rebuilt Merchant contributors to the website,
Having worked closely with Navy Pacific, previously came together to present a
Gresley on the LNER, Bulleid serialised in this magazine. display of Bulleid inspired
brought his experience of the Then providing a more models and related
development of three cylinder straightforward build is the information at the Bristol
streamlined Pacifics to the 3½ inch gauge Q1 from Nick SMEE Exhibition. As a mix
Southern. Bulleid’s ambitions Feast, also serialised in this of part-built and completed
were soon interrupted by the magazine. Of course, that locomotives, the display
outbreak of the 2nd World War has not limited the creativity generated a lot of interest
and the heavy demands placed of modellers choosing other with attendees. A bonus
on the railway; nevertheless, his prototypes, adapting existing of this occasion was the
first design, the Merchant Navy designs or scaling directly opportunity for builders from
class was rolled out in 1941. from Works drawings. different parts of the country
Bulleid’s air-smoothed How did the Bulleid Builders to meet and get to know each
designs may have looked Group evolve? Well, a long other and so the BBG was
slightly boxy compared to time ago, inspired by just officially inaugurated.
traditional outlines but they a photograph, I started to Since then a small group
disguised serious attempts build a 5 inch gauge Q1; this has met annually at or near
to move steam technology was before the Internet and Bristol, but this year one
forward. With distinctive information was difficult to member suggested meeting
semi-art-deco styling, his find - and everything came via at his home society, Andover.
locomotives are always the postman! Years later, as a This worked out rather well,
recognisable by their unique spin-off from putting together as being a sensible travelling
Bulleid-Firth-Brown (BFB) cast a club website, I considered distance from London and the
steel wheels, which proved the Internet would be a good South, more people could be
considerably lighter than medium to present articles included. And so to the day…
traditional cast spoked wheels. of how people had tackled
The Summer Gathering and photograph - with the of Union Castle on show. With features chain driven valve
of Bulleids additional attraction of Bulleid the boiler off for maintenance, gear made with proper Morse
Given the problematic nature locomotives in steam on the this gave a rare view of the ‘silent’ chain.
of the Covid pandemic ground level, raised and Gauge compact chain driven motion, Andover Society member,
restrictions, this was a date 1 tracks. oil bath and pumped oilways Martin who was providing
that many had been looking This mini exhibition of (photo 1). Gauge 1 steam entertainment
forward to and the balmy locomotives in varying degrees Inspired by Pacifics running for the day, also displayed
warmth of a day in early of completion was the perfect past his school as a youngster, his 3½ inch gauge original
September was the perfect way to explore and discuss Stefan Owen has been working Pacific chassis, which was an
opportunity to meet in the how people had tackled certain on his 5 inch gauge model of interesting exercise in ‘scaling
open air. For some, the date construction challenges, City of Wells for many years. up’ from one of his smaller
had been a focus to make without the crush that a full- Now with a completed air models (photo 4).
tentative progress, with the blown show can bring. running chassis, we were A particularly well detailed
opportunity to present their Among the many models, treated to the sight of his model was a 5 inch gauge
work; these were Bulleid six represented Bulleid’s stunning chassis as it has Wadebridge being built by
enthusiasts, happy to natter, original Pacific design (4-6-2 emerged from the paint shop Les Huggins. The casing
learn and share ways of doing arrangement). Often referred (photo 2). is exquisitely moulded in
things. to as ‘Spam cans’ because Started in 1948, the oldest fibreglass, cleverly disguising
The reason for the gathering of their air-smoothed casing, miniature in attendance was that this locomotive will
was the locomotives but, really, these famously used a chain New Zealand Line, a 3½ inch feature a fully electric drive
this was as much a day about drive to power three sets of gauge Merchant Navy class. (photo 5).
people, and wow did we have miniaturised Walshaerts’ The full size locomotive was Some years after Bulleid left
a nice time! So many wide valve gear running in an oil regularly worked by the ex-Nine the Southern, British Railways
smiles; it was quite refreshing. bath between the frames; and Elms fireman who built this rebuilt the 30 examples of
In a relaxed setting where several models adopted a lovely model, the late Russell the Merchant Navy class and
our hosts made us feel very similar arrangement. Coffin (photo 3). Custodian, about half of the 120 ‘light’
welcome, the day had a gentle In 5 inch gauge John Lloyd Eric, kindly brought along Pacifics into a somewhat more
pace with opportunities to had the chassis from his the locomotive which is still traditional format with boiler
engage, inspect, problem solve fabulous completed model capable of running and which hugging cladding and running
1 2
The chassis of John Lloyd’s original Merchant Stefan Owen’s newly painted chassis for West Country class City of Wells.
Navy class Union Castle during maintenance.
3 4
3½ inch gauge original Merchant Navy class New Zealand Line built by Russell Coffin. Martin’s 3½ inch gauge Merchant Navy chassis. >>
www.model-engineer.co.uk 167
5 6
Les Huggins’ wonderfully detailed model of original West Progress on Bob Gate’s 5 inch gauge rebuilt Merchant Navy Holland-Afrika Line.
Country class Wadebridge.
7 8
Kevin Neate’s advanced model of rebuilt Merchant Navy class P&O S.N. Co. The chassis of rebuilt West Country Yeovil built by Mike Gipson.
boards and three independent Represented in 5 inch gauge design was Britain’s most with his 7¼ inch version of
sets of Walshaert’s valve was a rebuilt West Country powerful 0-6-0 and proved to be 33029, while Peter Dickson
gear – while retaining the class, Yeovil started by the late a great asset in the war years made the most of the ground
distinctive Bulleid style wheels. Mike Gipson. Construction and well beyond. With its pared level track driving David
Some say the rebuilt versions is slowly being advanced by back looks, the Q1 can be a Alexander’s 5 inch gauge
were among the best looking her new owner, the tender rather ‘Marmite’ design but it version of 33020. This
locomotives, but such opinions body having been recently certainly makes a good and locomotive was built in the
will always be subjective. completed (photo 8). useful model with no shortage 1960s but has just had a
Four models were based on Having several open tender of supporters present. major overhaul and performs
the Ariel design for a 5 inch chassis on view was a great On the track, Nick Smith well (photo 10). Will Powell
gauge rebuilt M.N. class. Bob way to observe differences enjoyed exploring the routes showed the progress on his
Gates’ Holland- Afrika Line is between the double framed
making really good progress and double clasped brakes
(photo 6) while Kevin Neate’s of the Merchant Navy class 9
version of Peninsular & Oriental and the single framed, single
S. N. Co. is now getting to an side acting brakes of the light
advanced stage, running well Pacifics, a chassis type also
on air, after being left gently used on the Q1 and Q classes
rusting under a bench for 20 and derived from an earlier
years (photo 7). Southern Railway design.
The ‘light’ Pacifics, better Tony’s Ariel tender highlighted
known as Battle of Britain and the amount of work in the
West Country classes were double framed version
identical but were allocated (photo 9).
different blocks of numbers Interestingly, three of the
during their construction. In locomotives on the track and
preservation there is a 50/50 in steam were of Bulleid’s Q1
spilt of original versus rebuilt design, represented in three
versions of this type. gauges. In full size, the 1942 Tony Caudrey’s 5 inch gauge double framed Merchant Navy tender chassis.
10 11
Large and larger on the ground level track; 5 inch Q1 33020 Will Powell’s 5 inch gauge Q1 is making good progress.
and 7¼ inch gauge Q1 33029
14 15
John Berry is carrying out an extensive overhaul of this 7¼ inch Cliff Perry’s magnificent 7¼ inch gauge rebuilt Merchant Navy Clan Line.
rebuilt Merchant Navy class.
www.model-engineer.co.uk 169
I
have nothing to discuss. Oh, the defining features of a a member for over 60 years
Calamity! road locomotive was that it and a mainstay of the Society.
OK, so why am I here? Why would have a solid flywheel, Lindsay Oliver visited the
are any of us here? What’s it not spoked, in order not to Cleveland Association of
all about? (Alfie) “Hmmm…” frighten horses, which would Model Engineers. They are
Whilst I cogitate, I’ll just be met quite frequently on the sited at Tees Cottage pumping
have a look at this pile road. Vic Scott had a slightly station, with a working
of club newsletters… Oh, different lockdown project, a compound beam engine.
yes! Club News… 1911 London General Type B Peter Newby visited City of
In this issue, spoked omnibus (photos 1 and 2). A Sunderland model engineers
flywheels, lighthouses driving trailer completes the with Lindsay O, taking Peter’s
and a behemoth, a hard outfit. Scale is not specified, ‘Wren’ and running on their
life (1), a hard life (2), a as it is not a scale model, track. James Jamieson is
badly made new clock, but it is 1150 mm long, 400 rebuilding a ‘Straight Runner’
a Thorneycroft farm cart? mm wide and 540 mm high, steam-powered Rose, made
Totally tropical, crushed nuts driven by a 250 Watt e-scooter by George Leach in about
and a forgery. motor and toothed belt. An 1950 (photo 3). This issue
Halesworth & District Model item about a trip to France concludes with a large gallery
Engineering Society’s, autumn in a Talbot led to a scrapyard of pictures taken at Jim’s
Newsletter has a picture of a full of fascinating stock. Memorial Day.
very tidy traction engine Robin ‘Fortunately, no trailer was W. www.tsmee.co.uk
Geoff Slatter’s 4 inch Burrell single to hand or the return journey Welling & District Model
Theasby crank compound, scratch would have been much slower’ Engineering Society Newsletter,
reports built and bought from John said Colin and Ruth Walton. October-November, contains
on the latest news Rex. The Club has purchased W. www.hdmes.co.uk an item by Bob Underwood
from the Clubs. a defibrillator and a three Inside Motion, October, from stating that in 1825 a proposed
page article on its use is Tyneside Society of Model line betwixt London and
included. Clive Randlesome & Experimental Engineers, Greenwich was not without
also has a traction engine, in celebrated a Memorial Day opposition, as the flowery, lurid
this case a 4 inch McLaren for the life of Jim Stephenson, and vehement extract from the
road locomotive. One of Quarterly Review quoted in the
newsletter shows. The actual
L&G began 10 years later. In an
1 attempt to provide signalling,
two lighthouses were built
(the engineers having had
a maritime training). The
company also was the first to
introduce season tickets and
the first to provide turnstiles
in a bid to count passengers
accurately. Intending to
increase safety, carriage
chassis were inverted, bringing
the oak frames near to rail
height, in order to support the
load in a derailment. Bizarrely,
Vic Scott’s LG omnibus (photo courtesy of Vic Scott). one of the first locomotives
The rolling chassis and driving trailer (photo courtesy of Vic Scott).
www.model-engineer.co.uk 171
‘happened’ on Sunday, 14th. What’s it for? Following on
As usual, last minute overtime from this, he found that the 4
was required to get it runnable. paint shade he required,
(Afterwards…) Well, that was spray cans in car colours, had
a success, and a failure. The been discontinued 20 years
batteries and transmission are before, when the vehicles
up to it but the chain keeps ceased production… However,
jumping sprocket teeth. I need a close enough match was
to revise both chain tension found. John Briggs is trying
and adjustment. Even more ‘ecoal’, made from crushed
afterwards… I have it! Yes yes, olive stones and often burned
I’ll put it away in a minute, Miss. in traction engines (www.
In the tweentimes, here is some coals2u.co.uk/catalogsearch/
rolling stock from the Barbados result/?q=ecoal).
Railway, 1887 to 1937, 98 W. www.plymouthminiature
bridges in 38 km… (photo 4), my steam.co.uk
locomotive, Deborah (photo 5) Lionsheart, autumn, from The
and a much more presentable Old Locomotive Committee,
one from a previous visit to tells us that both Hornby G1 Barbados Railway carriages by Andrew at Abbeydale.
Sheffield SMEE’s Abbeydale Hobbies and Rapido Trains are
track, Class 58 003 Markham preparing ‘00’ gauge models, LnSVU9CpxbHyPPDqRS3Xe And finally, rearranging
Colliery (photo 6). to be released for the 70th Jpi8yiYbVmWy). A new book my stock of books in the
Goodwin Park News, autumn, anniversary of the film The on the Locomotives of the L&M workshop/editorial eyrie/
from Plymouth Miniature Titfield Thunderbolt. For those Railway from Anthony Dawson shrine, I chanced upon some
Steam, says, ‘from the Chair’ thinking of an accurate display includes an account of John old certificates; one begins,
that a slight puzzle occurred track, individual brass chairs Melling, simultaneously Engine ‘JOHN, by the grace of God
to said dignitary, Ian Jefferson, for 1:16 LGB track are to be Shops Superintendent and King of England, Lord of
in that he wanted some marketed - not quite correct in Loco Foreman. He it was Ireland, Duke of Normandy and
expanded metal for modelling profile but nearly scale height who physically ordered Lion Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou,
catwalks. A ‘not quite scale’ and in two types. Nigel Walton in 1837, from Todd, Kitson & to his archbishops, bishops,
example was found in his has a series of YouTube Laird. He was very inventive, abbots, earls, barons, justices,
local DIY outlet in the building videos on building Lion (www. responsible for, amongst other foresters, sheriffs, stewards,
section. Why was it there? youtube.com/playlist?list=P items, the ball clack valve, servants, and to all his officials
but sought financial reward and loyal subjects, Greeting’
from his employers and was which I found interesting
5 dismissed. Changes to the because I didn’t think they
website and its management wrote in English in those days.
became necessary whilst I think it’s a forgery - just wait
under Covid lockdown, for until I identify the paper it was
which the Committee had typed upon.
to take executive action to
safeguard and improve it. They
hope members will support
this action. (That’s why they CONTACT
are there, folks! - Geoff) [email protected]
W. www.lionlocomotive.org.uk
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MODEL MAKING METALS
1/32in. to 12in. dia. bright steel, stainless
steel, bronze, spring steel, brass, aluminium,
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Tel: (01296) 713631 Fax: (01296) 713032
www.mkmetals.co.uk
email: [email protected]
Model Engineer Classified
Seasonal Position Available!
The Steam Museum, Straffan,
near Dublin is looking for a
hands-on, gentle and friendly
Manager with a keen interest in
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Duties include showing visitors
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tickets and small shop, organise
webuyanyworkshop.com
Re-homing model engineers’ workshops across the UK
It’s never easy selling a workshop that has
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Or to discuss selling your workshop, please
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All equipment considered: Myford, Warco, Chester, classic British brands etc
Polly steam locomotives also purchased, especially those needing a bit of ‘TLC’
www.model-engineer.co.uk 177